Marine Corps Program

Each year CNA analysts work collaboratively with senior Marine Corps leaders to develop research programs that address such key issues as operations, manpower and training, logistics, programs and resources, aviation, and naval integration.

Marine Corps Program analysts work at CNA headquarters and, through CNA's Field Program, serve at commands worldwide, including: Marine Forces Pacific, Marine Special Operations Command, the three Marine Expeditionary Forces, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), and in Afghanistan and Iraq, providing on-site analysis to deployed Marine forces there. CNA also assigns analysts to support the Deputy Commandants and their staffs as well as other Marine Corps organizations such as the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. In addition, analysts supported the Marine Corps' relief operations for Hurricane Katrina, Operation Unified Assistance, and Operation Damayan.

Specific Areas of Analysis

Logistics and Infrastructure: Analysts have examined the combat service support implications of seabasing and assisted the deputy commandant for installations and logistics in his efforts to develop and implement new and innovative approaches for providing logistics support to the warfighter.

Manpower and Training: Manpower and operational training experts have studied the implications of high operational tempo on retention, developed tools to assist Marines in making sound retirement choices, helped the Marine Corps better understand the manpower implications of emerging concepts such as distributed operations, and assisted the Corps in identifying how training meets counterinsurgency operational requirements.

Operations and Plans: CNA field representatives have provided on-site support to deployed Marine Corps forces in Iraq, analyzing the effectiveness of counterinsurgency tactics and assisting in the assessment of Iraqi security force training. Analysts also assessed the effectiveness of counter-IED operations and helped develop new methods for addressing these threats. Program experts have also helped the Corps in its efforts to refine its role in homeland defense and civil support missions.

Programs and Resources: CNA analysts have supported the Marine Corps during Quadrennial Defense Reviews and provides analysis in support of major program decisions.

Aviation: The Marine Corps Program has helped the aviation community determine the most effective command and control structures for managing unmanned aerial systems and has helped the Marine Corps understand the implications of their airborne fire support processes for future warfighting concepts.

Combat Development and Integration: CNA analysts help the Marine Corps identify how seabasing capabilities can be positioned and employed to meet presence, contingency, and major combat operation requirements. Analysts also work with the Corps to identify future Marine Air Ground Task Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance requirements and potential deficiencies and gaps.